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Samaritans call on Conservatives to make suicide a top priority

The Samaritans are calling on the next government to deliver on their election promises and make suicide a top priority.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 and of both men and women aged 20-34.

Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland said: “The Conservatives talked in their manifesto of being unafraid to address burning injustices, including the stigma of mental health and disability discrimination. We urge them to go further and work to reduce inequality in all its forms if they want to save lives.

“The government must counter the knock-on effect of inequality on suicide by directing extra mental health and wellbeing support to those with unstable employment, insecure housing, low incomes and areas identified as being socioeconomically deprived.”

The Samaritans added that young people’s mental health must be a priority and that “learning to manage your emotions is as important as learning to read and write.”

Sutherland added that any reform of the Mental Health Act must ensure that effective support is available to anyone at risk of suicide.